Chuck Grassley: “I would say that as my good friend, the Senator from Utah, knows, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of…”

“I would say that as my good friend, the Senator from Utah, knows, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 is first and foremost an economic stimulus bill. The most effective aid the Federal Government can give to States or individuals is a healthy economy with a robust job market. Without jobs, families with children won't need child care services and won't have any way to pay the family bills. I thank the good chairman of the Judiciary Committee and understand his concern over the State aid portion of the legislation. We have tried to provide as much leeway as possible to the States. However, it would be impossible to list all of the acceptable activities for which a state could use his money. Therefore, the Congress has broadly defined the allowable activities for which States could spend their temporary fiscal relief dollars. Therefore, my answer to the question posed to me from the Senator from Utah is yes. We did intend for child care expenses to be included as an element of 'essential government services' provided that a state is currently operating a child care program and expenditures for child care were permitted under the most recently approved budget for the State.”